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Abu Dhabi to host World Conservation Congress 2025

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The UAE has won the bid to host the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) submitted the bid on behalf of Abu Dhabi and the UAE government.

The results were announced on May 25, following approval of the IUCN’s bid evaluation committee recommendations to the IUCN Governing Council at its meeting held in Gland, Switzerland from May 23rd-25th 2023. The IUCN Council is chaired by the president and consists of elected members from across all the regions as well as a Chair of Commissions and is the body responsible for the oversight and general control of all IUCN affairs.

The successful bid to host the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2025 further reaffirms the UAE and its leadership’s commitment to environmental conservation, climate change action and sustainability. Abu Dhabi continues to be at the forefront of nature conservation by building strong relations with key international environmental organisations such as the IUCN. The agency’s Managing Director, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, is the current President of the IUCN, while the EAD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, is a Global Councillor.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of EAD, said, “Winning the bid to host the IUCN Congress in 2025 is significant and a reflection of the vision of our President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It will be an opportunity to showcase UAE’s conservation leadership in protecting and restoring endangered species, both in the country and globally.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, affirmed that the selection of Abu Dhabi as the host city for the 2025 International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conference is another honour added to the UAE’s record full of accomplishments, particularly in the field of environmental, natural, and climate preservation, during the Year of Sustainability.

Almheiri said, “Since its inception, the UAE has prioritised environmental conservation and has made tremendous local and international efforts to enhance biodiversity and protect endangered species. Hosting this conference is a crowning achievement for the UAE and underscores our leading global status in taking on larger responsibilities in these areas. Our role as host of this year’s Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) reiterates the UAE’s influential position as a leading global partner in steering efforts to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our times – climate change, environmental preservation, and the prevention of natural resource wastage.

Established in 1948, IUCN has evolved into the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. Today the organisation is well known for its knowledge products, such as the Red List of Species, Red List of Ecosystems, Key Biodiversity Areas and the Green Lists which are widely used in setting conservation priorities for threatened species, ecosystems and in identification of important areas for protection.

– WAM

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What El Nino means for the UAE: Hotter summer, more humidity and rainfall in coming months

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The UAE could experience hotter-than-normal and wetter-than-normal weather in the coming months as El Niño conditions strengthen across the tropical Pacific Ocean, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

In its latest seasonal outlook, the NCM said there is a 98 per cent probability of El Nino conditions continuing between July and November 2026, with temperatures and rainfall across the UAE expected to range from near-average to above-average levels.

The forecast is based on conditions in the Nino 3.4 region of the tropical Pacific Ocean, a key climate indicator used by meteorologists worldwide. The latest sea surface temperature anomaly in the region is 0.5°C above normal, officially placing it within El Nino territory.

What is El Nino?

El Nino is a natural climate pattern caused by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. Although it occurs thousands of kilometres away, it can influence weather systems across the globe, including the UAE and other countries in the region.

Historically, El Nino events have been associated with higher temperatures, increased humidity, heavier rainfall in some regions, and more extreme weather patterns worldwide.

What could it mean for the UAE?

While the UAE is not among the regions most severely impacted by El Nino, forecasters say residents could see:

  • Higher-than-normal temperatures
  • Increased humidity levels
  • Greater chances of rainfall compared to seasonal averages
  • More variable weather patterns during the second half of the year

The NCM stressed that climate conditions are continuously monitored and forecasts will be updated monthly based on the latest international weather models and observations.

For now, residents should prepare for a potentially hotter and more humid summer as the climate phenomenon strengthens.

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Pests, expired food, poor hygiene: Why 69 Abu Dhabi restaurants and food shops were closed

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Abu Dhabi authorities have closed 69 food establishments since last year after inspectors uncovered serious food safety violations, including pest infestations, expired products and poor hygiene standards.

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) said 55 businesses were shut down in 2025, while another 14 have been closed so far in 2026 after repeatedly failing to comply with food safety requirements.

Why were they closed?

Officials said the most common violations included:

  • Selling expired food products
  • Insects and pests in food preparation areas
  • Poor hygiene practices
  • Improper storage of perishable food
  • Failure to meet mandatory food safety requirements

Authorities stressed that closure is only used as a last resort after businesses fail to respond to warnings and corrective notices. The crackdown comes as consumers continue to report food safety concerns across the emirate.

What happens next?

Closed establishments are only allowed to reopen once inspectors confirm all violations have been addressed and food safety standards are fully met.

The authority said regular inspections and surprise visits will continue across restaurants, cafeterias, supermarkets and food outlets to help protect public health.

Officials also encouraged residents to report suspected violations and check food safety ratings displayed under the emirate’s Zadna Assessment programme before dining or shopping.

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How AI is cutting Dubai bus delays by 68% in real time

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a new generation of AI-powered smart dashboards to manage the city’s bus network in real time, helping improve service reliability, predict disruptions and reduce emissions.

The technology has been deployed at the Bus Operations Control Centre and uses advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to monitor and optimise bus services across Dubai.

Smarter bus operations

Developed by RTA’s Public Transport Agency in partnership with its Artificial Intelligence Centre, the system enables operators to identify issues before they affect passengers and make faster operational decisions.

The platform includes tools for:

  • Predicting potential trip cancellations
  • Monitoring early bus departures
  • Managing disruptions linked to metro services
  • Optimising bus turnaround and route operations

These applications are now fully integrated into the control centre’s daily operations.

Delays reduced by 68%

According to RTA, the AI-powered system has already delivered measurable improvements.

Early departures have been reduced by more than 68 per cent, while automated monitoring and response tools have helped improve service consistency and passenger experience.

The system can also trigger the rapid deployment of buses during metro service interruptions, reducing disruption for commuters.

Boosting sustainability goals

Beyond operational improvements, the technology is also helping support Dubai’s environmental targets.

By improving bus parking management and reducing unnecessary engine idling, the initiative has contributed to cutting more than 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

RTA said the project represents a major shift towards proactive, data-driven public transport management and highlights Dubai’s growing use of artificial intelligence in everyday city operations.

The initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen public transport efficiency, enhance customer experience and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart mobility and AI-powered urban services.

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